Ciconia nigra

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Black stork
French : Cigogne noire

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Ciconiidae
Notes : No subspecies known

Identification
Reaches 1 meter in size for a weight of 3kg and a wingspan of 1.55 m. Plumage mostly black with green and purple gloss, especially around neck and head. Legs red, white belly, bare face and bill bright red.

Range and habitat
Breeds from Europe to Eastern Asia and from Malawi and Namibia to South Africa. Winters in subsaharan Africa and tropical Asia. Small population in Spain. Lives in open woodlands or grasslands near streams, ponds and marshes.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species has been declining because of disturbance from humane activities for years and now start to increase again, except in eastern Europe.
Ex-Situ Programs : ESB in Europe

Observation
Weltvogelpark Walsrode (Germany) De Paay (Netherlands)

 

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